Supporters ‘raise the roof’ for Dunkley

The Ron Dunkley Memorial Society’s launch of its fundraising campaign was a huge success which members measure not only in the amount of money that was raised for the B.C. Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Centre, but in the support of individuals and the Langley business community.

Our Raise the Roof pub night, which we held at Twin Rinks’ Grillhouse on Nov. 29, raised $4,100 for the burn centre. We couldn’t have done it without the support of the community, individuals who attended the event or supported it in any way they could, and the local businesses which backed us up with very generous donations for our silent auction.

And special thanks, too, to Dr. Cameron Dehoney who donated the much-sought after silent auction item of two tickets to an upcoming Vancouver Canucks game.

We are also indebted to entertainers The Horvat Family and the Flying Ritas, and of course the Surrey Fire Department Pipe and Drums, who received a standing ovation from our pub night guests.

We know that the money we raised is a small amount needed to meet our goal of helping to raise the last $1 million for the $13 million burn centre, which is currently being built at the corner of Main Street and West 23rd in Vancouver. But it’s only a start, as the society is already planning a number of activities to support the centre, and initiatives closer to home.

Finally, I would like to add a personal note of thanks to all the people who came out to support the blood donor clinic on Dec. 7, held every year in memory of my son, Ron, a Langley City firefighter who died in January, 2011.